With its upscale restaurants, luxury hotels, and high-end shopping, Victoria Island is one of the most exclusive and vibrant neighborhoods in Lagos, Nigeria. But beyond the luxurious outlook, Victoria Island also offers plenty of fun and entertainment for visitors and residents alike. From beaches to markets to cultural sites, Victoria Island is filled with activities and attractions that allow you to experience the energy and diversity of Lagos.
In this blog post, we’ll highlight some of the top spots and hidden gems that make Victoria Island such an exciting destination. We’ll start with the beaches lined with resorts, hotels, and beach clubs where you can lounge on the sand or try watersports.
We’ll also cover Victoria Island’s famous food venues, from local dishes like puff puff and suya at the street food stalls in the markets to luxurious restaurants serving everything from Nigerian specialties to international dishes.
Whether you’re a local or just visiting, Victoria Island has plenty of fun and exciting things to see and do. From lounging on the beach to exploring local markets and museums, this guide covers the top fun places on Victoria Island that you wouldn’t want to miss.
Fun Places in Victoria Island, Lagos
1. Visit Eko Atlantic City
Still under construction, Eko Atlantic City is a brand new coastal city being built on reclaimed land adjacent to Victoria Island. When finished, it will provide state-of-the-art residential and commercial real estate.
For now, one exciting thing to do there is visit the Eko Atlantic City Viewing Point. Located on the Ahmadu Bello Way on Victoria Island, this viewing deck provides stunning panoramic views of the Eko Atlantic City development and the Bar Beach shoreline. Gaze out at the construction progress and envision what this new coastal city will look like when it’s completed in the future.
The viewpoint is free to access and open 24 hours a day. Bring your camera to capture photos of the shoreline and the Eko Atlantic City skyline. It’s a unique glimpse into an ambitious construction project on the Lagos coast.
2. Lekki Conservation Centre
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a day trip to the Lekki Conservation Centre. This nature reserve is just a 20-minute drive from Victoria Island.
Stroll along the center’s nature trails through mangrove swamps, savannah grasslands, and freshwater wetlands. Keep an eye out for native wildlife like monkeys, birds, and reptiles. The trails wind through the reserve and offer scenic views of the surrounding landscapes.
For a small fee, you can also book guided canoe tours to paddle through the mangroves and get a unique perspective of this natural ecosystem. The center offers other activities like horseback riding and cultural displays.
Make a full day out of your visit by packing a picnic lunch or visiting the reserve’s restaurant for local cuisine. With its natural beauty and family-friendly activities, the Lekki Conservation Centre is one of the top attractions to visit near Victoria Island.
3. Terra Kulture
Expand your knowledge of Nigerian culture with a visit to Terra Kulture on Victoria Island. This entertainment and culture center celebrates Nigeria’s diverse arts, history, and ethnic traditions.
Browse the center’s art gallery, which displays works by both local and international Nigerian artists. Check out the schedule for musical and theatrical performances showcasing Nigeria’s talents. On certain days, you can also catch a traditional dance performance.
Visit their textile shop or attend one of their craft demonstrations to learn about Nigerian fashion, weaving, bead-making, and other artisan skills passed down through generations.
With so much to see and experience, you can easily spend a full day at Terra Kulture learning about Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. Don’t miss out on this top attraction on Victoria Island.
4. Tarkwa Bay
Looking for a more laidback beach getaway? Take a boat ride from Victoria Island to the sandy shores of Tarkwa Bay. This secluded beach provides a quieter alternative to Victoria Island’s more popular but more crowded beaches.
Relax right on the sand or book a beach hut for the day and take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean waters. Go for a tranquil stroll along the shoreline and take in the ocean views. The soft sands and calm waves make it ideal for sunbathing and swimming.
Tarkwa Bay also has a fun social scene, with beach bars and open-air restaurants serving cold drinks and local seafood dishes. Stick around for the afternoon and evening to mingle with locals, expats, and tourists drawn to Tarkwa Bay’s relaxing vibe.
The boat ride from Victoria Island to Tarkwa Bay is quick and inexpensive, making this hidden gem an easy and worthwhile day trip.
5. Nike Art Gallery
Nigeria is renowned for its talented artists, and one great place to see their work is at the Nike Art Gallery on Victoria Island. This gallery represents over 55 established and emerging Nigerian artists.
Wander through the five-story gallery that displays a diverse mix of contemporary and traditional paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other artworks. You’ll see pieces that incorporate a wide range of media, styles, and themes related to African and Nigerian culture.
In addition to exhibiting member artists’ works, the gallery also hosts temporary exhibitions by guest artists. Visit their gift shop to browse or purchase art books, souvenirs, and the gallery’s publications.
Art enthusiasts will appreciate this peek into Nigeria’s art scene. Chat with the friendly gallery staff if you have any questions about the artists or artworks on display.
6. Elegushi Beach
Sunbathe, swim, and surf along the golden shores of Elegushi Beach, one of the most popular beaches on Victoria Island. Positioned near Ikoyi, this stunning stretch of sand provides easy access to the Atlantic Ocean waves.
Go for a swim or just lounge on the beach, soaking up the sun and tropical atmosphere. Join in a friendly game of beach football or volleyball. You can also try surfing or bodyboarding if the waves are rolling in.
When you need a break from the sun, hang out at one of the beach’s seaside bars or restaurants. Sip a cold drink and sample some local barbecued meat and seafood dishes. You’ll find beach huts for rent along the sand as well.
Also, Read 10 Fun Places in Lagos for Couples
7. Oniru Private Beach
For an even more exclusive and luxurious beach experience, visit the Oniru Private Beach. Access is restricted to patrons of the beach’s affiliated hotels like the Royal Garden Hotel, Southern Sun Hotel, and Four Points by Sheraton Hotel among others.
As a private beach, Oniru offers a more secluded and upscale ambiance compared to Victoria Island’s public beaches. Lounge on comfy sun beds rather than beach towels. Enjoy attentive food and beverage service from beach attendants. Change clothes and rinse off in air-conditioned restrooms and showers.
Go for a leisurely swim in a less crowded section of shoreline. Play a game of beach tennis on one of their courts. Or rent a jet ski, catamaran, or paddle boat for the day to get out on the water.
Oniru Private Beach provides a luxury island retreat without having to leave the Victoria Island area. Treat yourself to a day experience you won’t find at the public beaches.
8. Freedom Park Lagos
Freedom Park Lagos is a memorial park and cultural hotspot located on Broad Street that celebrates Nigerian history and heritage. Built on the site of a former colonial prison, this tranquil park has open green spaces, food stalls, an amphitheater, gallery spaces, and more.
Take a reflective stroll through the park to see historic prison buildings that once held famous activists and writers like Wole Soyinka. Check out the gallery spaces housed in former prison cells that now display thought-provoking contemporary art.
Every Sunday, Freedom Park hosts a lively street market with over 200 stalls selling Nigerian handicrafts, fabrics, jewelry, and antiques. Try haggling for a good price on classic souvenirs like hand-carved masks or woven agbada robes.
Stick around on Sunday evenings when Freedom Park transforms into a vibrant music and food fair. Sway along to live jazz and Afrobeats performances on the concert stage while sampling suya, moin moin, fried plantains, and chilled palm wine at the food stands. With so much to see, do, and taste, Freedom Park is a must-visit.
9. Local Markets
Get a taste of local commerce and culture by exploring Victoria Island’s indoor and outdoor markets. Browse through the stalls and shops to discover Nigerian goods, crafts, produce, clothing, and more.
Stop by the bustling Ikoyi Vegetable Market to peruse the fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, and other produce brought in daily by local farms. Pick up ingredients to cook an authentic Nigerian meal at home.
Wandering through the bustling vendor stalls at these markets provides an authentic Nigerian shopping experience you won’t find in the island’s posh mega-malls. Don’t be shy about negotiating and chatting with the friendly sellers.
10. African Artists’ Foundation
Round out your Victoria Island trip with a visit to the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF). This non-profit organization is dedicated to promoting contemporary African art and artists.
Their Victoria Island location features art exhibitions, workshops, talks, film screenings, and other events open to the public. Check their calendar to see what programs are scheduled during your visit.
The AAF also runs an art gallery and hosts the yearly ART X art fair. Visit to discover up-and-coming African artists and view socially relevant contemporary art.
Through their programs, residencies, and events, the AAF supports African creativity and encourages art as an engine for social change. Visiting gives travelers insight into Africa’s contemporary art scene while supporting an organization that gives back to the community.
Conclusion
From unwinding on sandy beaches to learning about Nigerian culture, Victoria Island offers endless options for fun and entertainment. World-class hotels, restaurants, nightlife, and shopping give this Lagos neighborhood an upscale yet lively vibe.
Whether you explore markets and art galleries or relax at trendy beach clubs, Victoria Island easily keeps visitors busy. Use this guide to help plan an unforgettable trip that showcases the best of this vibrant district.
With its unique attractions, activities, and landscapes; Victoria Island is one of the premier destinations in Lagos, Nigeria. More than just a luxury hotspot, it provides opportunities to experience Nigerian culture, nature, cuisine, and creativity. Victoria Island has something exciting to offer every type of traveler.
